my progression through twin mommyhood

Christmas

Well here we are again. Another year in the books. When I think about life now it’s almost everything before the boys entered into our world and everything since. Recently, I went to dinner with several of my college besties and we started talking about college days (which feels like a lifetime ago) and memories were dredged up from a corner of my brain I didn’t realize was there. I also realized without those valuable and long lasting friendships, memories that would probably have been forgotten.

Life is a funny thing. It makes me think about individuals like my grandparents that are 92/93 years young, who survived immigration, famine, wars and raising ELEVEN children. Can you even imagine the number of life’s moments that are tucked away in their memories? I feel lucky that in this day and age the ability to take pictures and videos is literally in my pocket at all times. I’m also so curious to see what develops in the next 30 years. Flying cars?

2018 has been an eventful year and that has been partially contributed to returning to the workforce full time. Its afforded us things we have talked and dreamt about for a while now.

We bought a travel trailer. Technically, that was at the very end of 2017 but this past year is when we began to really use it. We’ve taken it to a few near by state parks in TX and OK. We even tested out the ability to camp with others, all squished into just our camper. We have definitely used it as a “guest house” when we go visit Kemp and my brother’s family stayed in it when the house overflowed during the boys’ birthday celebrations. In true cousin Eddy style, we actually plan to take it as our home away from home for the out of town holiday festivities this year! She’s a beaut Clark!

In January, our family grew! My younger brother and his wife had a baby! He is such a chunky monkey and watching him (via photos) grow this year is the best. Early this year we also went to Monster Jam (total disaster), took a spring break staycation in Fort Worth and Josh completed his RCIA journey.

Josh and I also took our first adult only vacation away from the boys to Puerto Adventures in March. I felt a bit of guilt but my parents were here to love on them and I also really tried to prioritize my marriage. I am fully and completely obsessed with my children but before them I was equally as obsessed with The Hubs. I don’t think I am any less obsessed but our attention to each other is obviously split now. So we spent an entire 5 days solely focused on each other. It was awesome. There were somethings about the resort and the location I wasn’t super pleased with but overall, it was a much needed time together.

I wrote a post about what we did mostly this summer and how Corbin’s surgery recovery actually took a large chunk of time but we did have lots of fun too! Corbin and Weston fine tuned their swimming skills, lots of backyard fun, went on several camp trips and plenty of gatherings with friends. We also finally made our first trip to Destin, FL and I’m quite sure we’re never going to any other beach. SO beautiful and now we know why Texans flock there in the summer time. The AirBnB we stayed in was THE perfect location and the trip was just relaxing and enjoyable. We also have a list of things we plan to do next year!

The fall always means lots of birthday celebrations and parties for our crew. We took a trip to Broken Bow and had blast with a big group of friends and followed closely by the holidays. Thanksgiving blends right into Christmas and here we are…the year’s end.

It’s not over yet! In the homestretch of the year, we decided to do some much needed renovations on the outside of our home. We’ve been slowly updating and beautifying the inside but the outside was looking rough. Painters are working as we speak! I’m terrified I didn’t pick the right colors (happens to me every time) but once everything is all said and done….I’ll post pictures of the finished product.

Christmas is next week (eek!) and I feel pretty ready. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying all the get togethers and Christmas cheer. We are headed south and I’m excited to get to snuggle nieces and nephews, eat and drink too much and enjoy the merriment.

Like this:

December was a busy and exciting month this year and when it came to a close I was kinda sad. I’ll get to that later. Quick recap….just a couple of weeks late.

This year we bought tickets for the North Pole Express in Grapevine and it was magical. In all actuality, we could have waited another year for the boys to fully understand the whole concept. As an adult though, it was so sweet to see all the other children who were SO excited. Gramma Dee and Scott joined us on the adventure.

The North Pole Express starts at the Vintage Grapevine Railroad. There were concessions (corn dogs, hot chocolate, steak on a stake (har-har)) to snack on before loading as you need to be there 45-50 minutes prior to your boarding time. You can also pop into the Vetro Glass Blowing studio and watch them make really gorgeous pieces. They’ll even allow you to make your own glass ornament. Maybe we will do that in future years when the $30 ornament won’t be broken by one of the Nuggets about 4 seconds after hanging it on the tree.

We waited in line for about 15 minutes before they loaded us onto the train. The boys were interested in the actual “choo-choo” but once we were on the train, it wasn’t quite as interesting. This is why I think it’ll have more of a statement next year. The train moves east at a pretty slow pace for about 10-12 minutes and everyone is encouraged to sing Christmas carols with the friendly elves.

Mrs. Clause makes and appearance and hands out the silver bells for Christmas spirit.

After the train ride we walked through a beautiful forrest of Christmas trees while SNOW was pumped though the area. I didn’t get a picture because, although we were supposed to be walking, everyone else was stopping to get pictures and the bottleneck was throwing my anxiety into overdrive. We proceeded into a large tent with colorful lights and patiently waited for Santa. We were entertained with singing and dancing elves and finally Santa arrived. The overall excitement level rose 100% with all of the children (except mine) and it was very sweet. Afterwards everyone was given chocolate milk from Santa.

Although the boys weren’t totally understanding it all, it was worth it. I enjoyed myself (and the much needed margarita afterwards) and as usual, look forward to how the boys will grow each year.

Christmas Eve service was crowded (as always) but luckily The Hubs got us great seats and the boys could see the entire re-enactment that the children put on of Christmas night and the birth of Jesus. I teared up thinking of the Nuggets participating in the future.

Somehow, I managed to not take a single picture of us, or the boys in our Christmas best… #momfail. Afterwards, we joined good friends, who were in from out of town, for a tradition of making egg rolls. We went two years ago with the boys and they were only a couple of months old and everyone was just in awe as to much they’ve grown.

Christmas morning was abundant with blessings and waaaay too many toys (thanks Hubs).

Once we had all the present opening completed and cleaned up, we had a quick breakfast and loaded up to go to Gramma’s house. Again, minimal pictures (some photographer I am). A day filled with lots of family, more presents and tons of food was outstanding.

Christmas (actually the entire holiday season of 2015) seemed to fly by this year, faster than years in the past. I wasn’t ready to take down the decor (maybe because it took almost the whole month to get my house decorated in the first place). I wasn’t ready to pack up the Christmas attire or get rid of the tree. Alas, time keeps moving even if I’m not ready for it.

We enjoyed The Hubs being home from work for a solid week and we rang in the new year with great friends in their gorgeous new home.

2015 was a bit sad for me because I was hoping to get another Nugget in the oven and it didn’t happen. Infertility stands strong in this family and although we were hopeful that the first IVF process would “get things moving”, as Dr. Le put it, no such luck for us. God has a plan. God has a plan. God has a plan. It’s my manta. 2015 was an incredible year. We’ve slowly started to complete home improvement projects that we’ve been dreaming about for 2.5 years. I get to stay home with my Nuggets as a stay at home mama bear, something I never thought we would be able to do and our whole family is healthy. God is good.

Like this:

Before we had The Nuggets, I would have a list of things that I needed to get done every year around the Christmas holiday. This list consisted of things that I really love doing. Such as; homemade holiday treats for the neighbors, decorating the house inside and out, Christmas crafting with a friend, holiday shopping (at the store), Christmas cards, and more.

Enter Christmas 2013 (2 months after the boys were born)

I attempted holiday treats and finished sometime in the first week of January. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t even give any of the treats to our new neighbors. Some of them were probably stale anyways!

No Christmas cards were sent out — total fail for a mom super proud of her new babies.

The Hubs managed to decorate outside and I did a little bit of the inside.

No holiday shopping experience. I bought everything online. Let me stop here and say, I LOVE online shopping but there is something about going to the stores decorated with lights and ribbons and bows, and just basking in it all.

I honestly think anything holiday wise was completed last year because I was on maternity leave and my mom was around to assist.

Present day Christmas 2014

My list this year changed a little bit, now that the boys aren’t tiny preemie infants:

The house is decorated. Even though some of the lights on the trees outside blew a fuse and the mantle is barely decorated…it’s up. The Christmas tree looks great.

The boys did not get their picture with the mall Santa. We went last weekend to have it done and you have to have reservations! Since when!?!? The boys did get a picture with a Santa…that was at bar we ate at the weekend before last. Fail.

No treats. Didn’t even bother this year. No time. Fail.

No new Christmas crafts with my bestie. No time. Fail.

Christmas cards were sent out! POINT ONE FOR THIS MOM! Maybe it was because I ordered them in November and was on Top. Of. My. Game! Note to future self, this is why some people start early.

Holiday shopping is done and it was fun. The Hubs even said, “that was the nicest holiday crowd” referring to the mall we went to The Parks at Arlington. There are a few more items I need (on 12/23/14) but Target will suffices.

I cannot wait for Christmas morning to see The Nuggets faces’ light up. To be with all of my family, celebrating the reason for the season. The greatest gift God could give us, his Son.

So my list isn’t really that important in the grand scheme of things. I’m not going to stress out about it. Whatever was finished, received a check and whatever didn’t, well.. it just didn’t. Maybe next year.

I am getting better at this whole parenting thing.

ForGod so lovedthe world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16